The German railway company Deutsche Bahn paid a record €196.8 million in compensation to passengers for train delays and cancellations in 2024. The main cause of the issues was the deterioration of the railway network.
According to Deutsche Bahn, as reported by Bild am Sonntag on March 8, the total amount of compensation paid in 2024 significantly exceeded the 2023 figure, when €132 million was refunded to passengers.
Around 80% of the delays were caused by network congestion and infrastructure wear and tear. In response, the company plans a large-scale renovation: by 2030, 40 key railway sections across Germany will be closed for several months for track, overhead line, and station upgrades.
Throughout 2024, passengers submitted 6.9 million compensation claims, most of which were filed electronically, speeding up the processing time. Half of the claims were reviewed within two days, after which passengers received their payments.
According to the regulations, passengers are entitled to a refund of 25% of their ticket price for train delays of more than one hour, and 50% for delays of two hours or more.
